BLOOMFIELD, N.M. (AP) — San Juan County say a Bloomfield police officer was justified in shooting a possibly suicidal man.
The Daily Times reports that the finding by the District Attorney's Office means that Office Andy Darby won't face criminal charges in the Aug. 27 fatal shooting of 61-year-old John J. Rogers.
The office told New Mexico State Police in a Dec. 31 letter that evidence suggests that Rogers threatened Darby with a handgun before Darby shot Rogers.
A police report said the confrontation occurred after Darby was sent to Rogers' residence in response to a report of a possible suicidal person.
Rogers was under investigation for alleged child sexual assault at the time and had told relatives he would commit suicide rather than be arrested.
Darby didn't know of the investigation.